Stormdry One Coat Liquid Rubber Leak Seal
https://go.skill-builder.uk/leak-seal
Roger investigates a leaking flat roof and demonstrates why it is important never to jump to conclusions when tracking down water ingress. With any flat roof, the point where water appears internally is rarely the same as the point where it actually enters the building, which makes diagnosis more important than the repair itself.
In this case, the leak shows up inside near one corner of the room, suggesting a localised failure. However, with a flat roof, water can travel considerable distances beneath the covering before finding a weak point to drip through. That means the visible stain is often misleading, and the real entry point could be several metres away from where the damage appears.
Roger begins by carrying out a careful inspection of the entire flat roof, rather than focusing only on the obvious area inside. He checks the GRP roof surface for cracks, splits or failed joints, paying close attention to any changes in surface texture that could indicate movement or ageing. Even small imperfections on a flat roof can become entry points when exposed to prolonged rain or standing water.
Attention then moves to the lead flashing, which is a common failure point on any flat roof detail. If the flashing has lifted, split or separated from the adjoining wall, water can track behind it and enter the structure without being immediately visible. These issues are often overlooked because they sit at junctions rather than in the main roof field.
The gully area is also inspected carefully, as blockages or poor drainage can cause water to back up on a flat roof, increasing pressure on vulnerable seams and edges. Standing water is one of the most common causes of long-term deterioration, especially where drainage is slow or inconsistent.
Flat Roof Leak Investigation: Key Problem Areas
Rather than recommending a full strip and replacement of the flat roof, Roger takes a more targeted and cost-effective approach. Full replacements are often unnecessary when the failure is localised and can be traced to specific weak points. Instead, he identifies the likely entry area and prepares it for repair.
The solution used is Stormdry One Coat Liquid Rubber Leak Seal, a moisture-curing, flexible and UV-resistant sealant designed for a flat roof and multiple roofing materials. It can be applied to GRP, felt, lead, PVC and fibreglass, making it suitable for mixed-surface repairs where a flat roof includes several different materials meeting at junctions.
Once applied, the sealant forms a durable waterproof barrier that moves with the structure, which is essential on a flat roof where thermal expansion and contraction can cause rigid materials to crack over time. This flexibility helps prevent future leaks forming in the same area.
By focusing on inspection first and repair second, Roger demonstrates that a leaking flat roof does not always require expensive reconstruction. Careful diagnosis, combined with a targeted repair strategy, can often restore a flat roof effectively while avoiding unnecessary disruption and cost.
Key Takeaways:
• Don’t assume the visible damp patch is directly below the leak.
• Always inspect the whole roof detail, including flashing, joints, gullies and areas where water can pool.
• A surface-applied liquid rubber repair can be a practical first step if the roof is generally sound.
• Stormdry Leak Seal can be applied to damp or dry surfaces, but standing water, grease and debris need to be removed first.
• The product is designed to self-level, seal, bond and bridge cracks up to 5 mm.
• It is suitable for common roof materials including lead, fibreglass, PVC, roof felt, concrete, brick, slate, aluminium and steel.
• Roger explains why damp internal finishes should be allowed to dry naturally before replastering or redecorating.
• Breathable finishes, lime plaster and basic emulsion can be better than sealing trapped moisture behind gypsum plaster or vinyl paint.
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reccomended websister – Flat Roof Replacement: Systems Compared & What to Expect – FixMyRoof
